Monday's WAC bball digest

From Tony Jones: "Utah state hoops is expected to offer 2014 small forward Tre'Shawn Thurman....one of top 2014 prospects in Nebraska"

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Trey Rolle was before PTW's time, if I had a time -- he's #14 on Matt Sonnenberg's Aggie countdown. 

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From Eric Bossi: "Keep an eye on Double Pump Elite 2013 shooting guard/small forward Michael Thomas. A 6-foot-5 senior to be at El Camino Real in Los Angeles, Thomas is a late blooming southpaw with athleticism, length and a very good looking jump shot. Early suitors include Boise State, UC-Davis and Utah State as his first three offers to go along with interest from Washington State, Arizona State, Nevada and UCSB."

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Have to mention this: the Star Advertiser reports that Bill Amis is trading in his jersey to tackle the Honolulu real estate market. It's good to see a former player stick around his college town. Not to get all parochial but Honolulu versus Oklahoma, well, let's just say that's not a difficult decision.

Friday and the WAC basketball galaxy

More accolades (PTW thinks) for the game night atmosphere in Logan:

"Majerus went on to say (the Spectrum) is like the Oakland Coliseum without the guns and knives."

It's from Rhett Wilkinson's article on USU in the Standard-Examiner.

Seattle Pacific topped Arizona last night so it's time for a Modou Niang update: in 13 minutes of play, the Utah State transfer went scoreless but did grab four rebounds.

Ex-Aggie big Gary Wilkinson receives more press in New Zealand.

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Dario Hunt responds to his Five Questions.

Chris Murray looks at the NBA draft rankings of Dario Hunt and Olek Czyz, plus much more.

Chris writes about the effect of the NCAA legislation passed today on Wolf Pack athletics.

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Dayton Morinaga covers another Rainbow Warrior scrimmage, this one worked by regular officials.

Monday and the WAC

Fresno State hosts Seattle tonight as Bryant Jon-Anteola reports. Beating opponents down the court at least once in a while and better outside-shooting are the two most attractive items for the Bulldogs on the win menu.

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Dayton Morinaga has all the angles covered about a high-scoring junior college wing expressing interest in Hawaii (as well as many others).

Jeff Portnoy writes about the USS juggernaut Hawaii.

A quick question: if it's J-o-s-t-e-n Thomas why does does the UH athletics roster still have J-o-s-t-o-n? Hey, PTW is old and gets easily confused so let's have the o-f-f-i-c-i-a-l record corrected. Mahalo.

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Joe Santoro grades everything Wolf Pack after the game against Louisiana Tech.

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How does New Mexico State get out-rebounded with that height and athleticism? Guys, you gotta stick that nose in there. Jason Groves looks into this and the need for more scoring from the Aggies.

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Shawn Harrison reports on a tired Utah State squad but it's one residing in the WAC catbird seat and that pays recuperative dividends.

A longtime UH hoops fan checks in

This longtime UH hoops fan offers excellent first hand insight and we appreciate the opportunity to publish these thoughts and observations:

Looks like [frontcourter] Dom Brumfield is done for the year as an academic casualty. Under the university of Hawaii system, if he did not achieve a 2.0 during the fall semester, then he would be on academic probation for this spring semester. If he does not make 2.0 this spring, then he would have to sit out a semester before being allowed to re-enroll.

At which point I am sure that Gib would release him or have no choice but to release him.

Brumfield was used sparingly even after it was announced that he was 100%. However, he seemed to be slow and was often outquicked and outmuscled.

Mama miah. Miah Ostrowski continues to make people shake their heads when they think that for the past three years Bob Nash didn’t even entertain a tryout for him. Miah is looking better and better with each game. You can see that with each time up the court that he is more and more confident. Sometimes he forgets the speed of the game but rarely makes the same mistake twice. He seems to focus on defense and passing it off at this point. Slowly, you can see him inserting himself offensively.

Vander Joaquim “the dream”, is gonna be a good one by the time he is done here. I keep forgetting that he is only a sophomore. The other night, he took the game in to his own hands.

Joston Thomas is a crowd favorite with his wear it on his sleeve energy. He too will be an all mwc guy in two years. Once he learns to control his energy under the boards, he will be chairman of the board. Off season, he needs to refine his shooting form so that he can shoot 80% from the line since he will get fouled a lot under the rim. He should forget about the trey and focus on a quick step to get a 10-15 footer instead.

Bo Barnes has also become a hometown crowd favorite. Against Fresno St., he regained his touch. He probably works harder than anyone else on this team defending a quicker 2 or 3 guy.

Once Bobby Miles’ light goes on, he will be the Bobby Miles-Serrano of Workman High.  Scoring 27 ppg. He, too, like Miah, work on their defense and distribution skills and have not let loose offensively. However, one can see the potential offensively. Once his confidence kicks in, he will amaze.

Amis is slowly getting back to form. We forget that he was out for nearly two years. After being called out by his coaches and teammates, he is no longer hangng his head after missing some easy shots. It has taken him longer to get back to speed, but he is getting there. He is the key to any late season surges.

As the younger guys turn off the “deer in headlights” effects of their first time D1 experience, one can see the potential. This team likes each other and there are no selfish guys left on this squad. Only good things can happen now.

Many are exited about new 2011 recruit Gerry Blakes. He is having a great senior year. It is a good thing we got him in the early signing period. There’s not too much info about how Ronnie Stevens is doing.

It will be interesting since Gib picked up Utah transfer Jace Tavita.  He could compete for the starting PG spot. Word is, that if he gets a year back from the NCAA, he will be on scholarship.

Gib has two more scholies for next year to give. Possibly one is reserved for Rafael Maia.  Findlay prepster Kevin Kaspar was also high on their list. Bringing Tavita in with two years makes if interesting. Although I think Blakes shoud be at the 2. Then again, if Brumfield falls through the academic cracks, there would be room for one more.

Gib has a long list of prospects. It will be interesting to see who lands here after the late signing period.

A few Thnursday WAC notes for you

Jason Groves offers five keys to the WAC kingdom for New Mexico State basketball -- go here.

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Gib Arnold has a dance move up his sleeve for the UH Ohana Hoopfest and PTW wants to see pictures of the 'action' so here's hoping the Brian McInnis or one of the Star Advertiser photographers takes in the action -- go here. Will Duane "Dog" Chapman make an appearance? Talk about one helluva recruiter -- always getting his man, or woman.

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Fresno State has just offered 6-foot-8 Texas prepster Daniel Green -- Chris Harmon of Inside Tulsa Sports has the latest here (a Rivals sub is required). He enjoyed a solid summer and is considered a late riser.